Press Story

Reacting to the decision to raise defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027 through cuts to international aid, Harry Quilter-Pinner, executive director at IPPR, said:

“The government is right to act decisively to increase defence spending – the world has changed radically even in the last week. Some on the left will find this difficult to accept, but there is nothing progressive about leaving the UK or Europe under-defended. Any government’s first duty is to keep its citizens safe and secure.

“But to navigate this era of global insecurity the UK will need new partnerships and alliances, and cutting the aid budget will undercut our ability to build them. When the UK helps countries to adjust to climate change, to grow and to prosper, we build our relationships and our influence. When countries like the UK withdraw, China and Russia stand ready to step in. The US is making a strategic mistake in dismantling USAID: the UK should not fall into the same trap.

“With defence spending set to rise beyond 2.5 per cent, and other pressures on public services growing, further spending cuts will not be a viable strategy in the future. The world has changed since Labour took office. Going forward, the government should re-consider whether its commitments on spending and tax are fit for the future.”

ENDS

Harry Quilter-Pinner (IPPR executive director) and Laura Chappell (associate director for international policy) are available for interview

CONTACT

Liam Evans, Senior Digital and Media Officer: 07419 365334 l.evans@ippr.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

IPPR (the Institute for Public Policy Research) is an independent charity working towards a fairer, greener, and more prosperous society. We are researchers, communicators, and policy experts creating tangible progressive change, and turning bold ideas into common sense realities. Working across the UK, IPPR, IPPR North, and IPPR Scotland are deeply connected to the people of our nations and regions, and the issues our communities face. We have helped shape national conversations and progressive policy change for more than 30 years. From making the early case for the minimum wage and tackling regional inequality, to proposing